SMALLER BRITISH LAND BIRDS FOR A MUSEUM. 47 



among the smaller birds, a proper knowledge, I think, cannot well be 

 acquired without keeping the different species in confinement; and 

 though, perhaps, the idea of this may appear rather formidable at first 

 sight, the difficulties of doing so are by no means so great as might be 

 anticipated. A cage containing twenty birds requires no more atten- 

 tion than a cage containing one ; both should be daily cleaned out, and 

 both should every day be replenished with fresh food. To the naturalist, 

 indeed, who is desirous of obtaining a thorough insight into the manners 

 and dispositions of the feathered race, various other advantages accrue 

 from keeping the different species in confinement, besides the mere 

 study of their figures and attitudes. In the economy of most birds 

 there are a number of little curious peculiarities, which often throw 

 considerable light on their natural history, but which can only be 

 learned by studying their habits in the cage. By keeping birds in 

 confinement, also, a thorough acquaintance with their various notes is 

 obtained, which of course greatly facilitates all field observation of 

 their habits. But it is not from wild and timid newly-caught birds 

 that information of this kind is to be derived, nor is it from such that 

 a knowledge of their free unrestrained positions can be acquired ; it is 

 only when they have become familiar, and devoid of fear and restraint, 

 that their habits become interesting in confinement. A wild bird, 

 however, becomes speedily familiar, if placed with a number of tame 

 companions ; though it is advisable, when newly caught, to keep it a 

 few days by itself. 



The natural positions of most of our British birds require a great 

 deal more study than is usually bestowed upon them by stuffers ; and 

 it is a matter of primary importance to all who intend forming collec- 

 tions, to become minutely acquainted with the general appearance, and 

 with the peculiar attitudes of each separate species when alive. Indeed, 

 the great diversities in this respect, among the smaller kinds, are often 

 surprising. The natural positions of the most approximate species 

 differ in many instances widely ; and it consequently requires a close 

 and intimate acquaintance with the living originals to enable even a 

 proficient in the art of mounting skins to give to stuffed specimens the 

 appearance they presented when alive. Excepting in the case of 

 absolute rarities, examples of which might never, perhaps, be a second 

 time obtained, it would be as well not to attempt any bird whatever 

 until this minute knowledge of its appearance and natural attitudes 

 when living had been thoroughly and correctly acquired. It is not 

 enough even that the positions of an assimilant species had been 



